Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 355: what you’re looking at

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346 ‘No, do you know him?” ‘“T never saw him in my life, but I should like to.” ‘Done anything crooked?” “Not that I know of,’ and Dash slowly turned away and walked out of the office. “I suppose I might as well destroy this thing now,” he thought, looking at the paper which he still held in his hand, ‘‘ but no, I[’ll return it to Do- rothy, and tell her about what I have just heard. It would be odd if he was alive after all.” As soon as he had rested and fed his horse, as well as himself, Dykeman started on the return journey. He took it leisurely, taking in the full grandeur of the scenery about him. He judged he had covered half the distance back to the railroad camp when he came to a lonely cabin on the side of the trail, and dismounted to ask for a drink of water. He saw no one about but a large, motherly looking: woman, who said that if he would wait a few minutes she would get him some fresh milk. As he had a special fondness for the lacteal ° fluid, and it had been a scarcity in the railroad camp, he was only too glad to accept the offer. Securing his horse, he entered the cabin, and the woman left by the rear - door with a tin bucket in her hand. He had hardly looked about the apartment, and the noise of the depart- ing woman’s footsteps had scarcely subsided, when Dykeman heard the sound of rapidly moving horse’s hoofs. He stepped toward the door, and even as he did so the hoof beats became more distinct, as if the animal was quickly nearing the cabin. He had scarcely reached the door, when a panting mustang was reined in before him, and its rider hurled him- self from the saddle. He was a tall. fine looking man, even though his black beard and grav hair were disheveled, and the dust of a hard ride was on his . clothes. . because I don’t return it. THE ARGOSY. Dykeman instantly surmised that something was wrong, and the next in- stant he had some decided evidence of it. The horseman sprang toward the cabin without stopping to fasten his steed, and an expression of annoyance escaped him when he discovered the young railroader in the door. “Up with your hands, young man,” he cried, in low but determined tones, as he whipped a Colt’s revolver from its sheath and presented it in Dyke- man’s face. The latter lost no time in obeying the injunction, and involuntarily fell back a few steps into the room. The man instantly closed and fas- tened the front door and, keeping his eyes on his prisoner, he did the same with the back door. ‘ Now, then, young man, I'lltake that gun of yours,” he continued, as he stepped close to Dykeman and with- drew the latter’s weapon from its hol- ster. ‘‘ I might need it. All I ask of you is to keep out of this scrimmage, and you shan’t be hurt. The old lady will tell ’em you had nothing to do with me.” The fellow stopped, coolly examined his pistol, and then went on with a laugh : “IT borrowed a horse, you know, and some of my fellow citizens are angry There they are now.” There were the sound of other horses’ hoofs, as if a number of mounted men were approaching, and then they ceased. Dykeman instantly understood that the man was a horse thief, though he could not help admir- ing his cool courage. “The ball is going to open, stran- ger,’ the pursued one said, with a smile; “and as Missouri Pete will never be taken alive, you’d better get where you won’t stop any bullets. Down behind that stove is a good place.” But Dykeman disdained to avail himself of such protection, and only __ comiclsooks.com